February 14 – 16, 2025
Snow Gums (Eucalyptus pauciflora) are the classic tree of the Australian High Country. They are profoundly different to the trees found in mountain areas in other parts of the world, and give a uniquely Australian sense to our high country. However, they are facing a double threat to their survival: from fire and dieback.
We are hosting a 'snow gum summit' which will bring together land managers and academics and anyone interested in the future of this iconic species to explore what needs to be done to ensure the survival of snow gum woodlands, and put the issue firmly on the state governments agenda.
We have invited First Nations people, local and state wide environmental organisations, local communities and businesses, groups active in outdoors recreation, and enthusiasts of high-elevation, forest ecosystems. There will be presentations, workshops and field trips.
This event will happen at Dinner Plain, on GunaiKurnai Country in north eastern Victoria.
The forum is on friday February 14 and saturday February 15, with guided walks happening on sunday February 16.
Getting a handle on the problem – and the solutions
Snow Gums (Eucalyptus pauciflora) are facing a double threat to their survival:
Firstly, while dieback, caused by a native beetle, is a natural occurrence, it is getting worse and more widespread because climate change is making winters warmer and summers drier and hotter. This is leading to widespread loss of individual trees across the Australian Alps. It has had significant impacts on snow gums, especially in the Snowy Mountains and, increasingly, on the Bogong High Plains.
Secondly, climate change is creating conditions where fires in the high country are more frequent and more intense. In recent decades, climate-fuelled bushfires have devastated huge areas of the snow gum forests. There were significant fires in the Victorian High Country in 1998, 2002/3, 2006/7, 2013 and 2019/20. More than 90% of Snow Gum habitat has been burnt at least once in the last 20 years. New research shows that long-unburnt snow gum forests are now exceedingly rare (comprising less than 1% of snow gum forests in the Victorian Alps). Like most eucalypt species, the snow gum can survive fire. However, climate change is leading to more frequent and intense fire, which is causing more death of trees and changes to forest structure.
While most snow gums in the Australian high country are included in national parks, we are on the verge of losing the landscapes that we spent decades protecting.
The forum
We are hosting a 'snow gum summit' which will bring together land managers and academics and anyone interested in the future of this iconic species to explore what needs to be done to ensure the survival of snow gum woodlands, and put the issue firmly on the state governments agenda.
We will be inviting First Nations people, local and state wide environmental organisations, local communities and businesses, groups active in outdoors recreation, and enthusiasts of high-elevation, forest ecosystems. There will be presentations, workshops and field trips.
We have key experts in the field confirmed to present at the forum:
Russell Mullett, GunaiKurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC), on bushfires, archaeology of the high country and biodiversity
Assoc. Prof. John Morgan, Head of Department, Environment & Genetics, La Trobe University, on Snow Gums and fire
Dr. Philip Zylstra, Adjunct Associate Professor, Curtin University School of Molecular and Life Sciences, on fire and land management and implications for snow gum communities
Dr Matthew Brookhouse, Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU, on snow gums and dieback
Dr Susanna Venn, Associate Professor of Plant Ecology, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University
Dr Tom Fairman, FLARE Wildfire Research, The University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Leah Moore, Land and Water Science, Fenner School of Environment and Society,
FSES, ANU
Aaron Kennedy, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Director Forest and Fire Operations, Hume, FFMV [NOTE: Aaron has had to cancel because of commitments]
Uncle Shane Monk, male cultural lead and lead tour guide, Taungurung Land and Waters Council
Dave Crea, Australian Alps National Parks Program Manager
Anthony Sharwood, journalist and author of From Snow to Ash
Karl Just, ecologist, on the health of, and threats to, snow gum populations in low land areas
Matt Ruchel, executive director, Victorian National Parks Association
Sarah Lynch, artist documenting the snow gums of the Australian Alps
Mike Edmondson, alpine photographer and guide
Simon Watson, Principal Scientist Forest and Fire Ecology | Knowledge, Planning and Risk, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Dean Heinze and Ian Mansergh on animals of the snow gum country
a new film from Stephen Curtain
Peter Jacobs, Former senior protected area manager, Executive Officer for the Victorian Deer Control Community Network and Chair of the WCPA Mountains Specialist Group
Sam Beaver, Protect our Winters
MCs: Anna Langford & Alana Mountain
The event format
The core part of the summit will happen on Friday 14 February and morning of Saturday 15. It will happen in the village of Dinner Plain.
Format:
FRIDAY (9am - 5pm)
- an appreciation of the high country and snow gums, with speakers panel and new film
- presentations: what are the threats to snow gum woodlands
- workshops to drill into details
- presentations: how might we respond to the threats?
SATURDAY (9am - 3.30pm)
- continued presentations on solutions
SUNDAY
- there will be guided walks to areas with special remnants of older snow gum forests, including the Bogong High Plains and Mt Wills.
The event will be limited to 80 people.
It will be available to view remotely via a streaming platform.
The program
You can find bios for the presenters here.
Please note: if you are tuning in via the livestream, we will do our best to keep this program updated so please check in occassionally to see updates and changes.
Friday February 14, 2025
Theme |
Topic |
Presenter |
9am. Acknowledgement of Country & introduction to the forum |
|
Cam Walker MC for the day: Anna Langford |
9.15am Presentations: what we love about snow gums |
This is intended as being a ‘non scientific’ appreciation of this unique community |
This session will include: A short film by Stephen Curtain A panel of speakers discussing their connection to the high country: · Anthony Sharwood · Sarah Lynch · Mike Edmonson · Uncle Shane Monk |
10.30am |
Morning tea |
|
11 am. Presentations: the problem. What is the state of snow gum communities |
1/ what are the trends with fire – climate change is driving more intense fire seasons, what does this mean for snow gum communities |
Assoc. Prof. John Morgan, Head of Department, Environment & Genetics, La Trobe University - snow gums and fire
|
11.30pm |
The changing nature of fires and implications for ecosystems in Victoria How is climate change, and changing fire regimes, being addressed in fire management for ecological values |
Simon Watson, Principal Scientist Forest and Fire Ecology | Knowledge, Planning and Risk, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action |
12 noon |
Snowgum regeneration under climate change at alpine treelines |
Dr Susanna Venn, Associate Professor of Plant Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University |
12.30pm |
Lunch |
1.15pm - quick walk to visit 'The Elder' tree for those who are keen. Meet out the front of the venue. |
1.45pm |
2/ what are the threats from dieback? |
Dr Matthew Brookhouse, Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU |
2.15pm |
Alpine Fauna: Changing Climates - changing minds. Three species, three stories - Bogong Moth, Konermar Whygun (Jaithmathang for Snow possum or Mountain Pygmy Possum) and Ngooran (Dingo). |
Dean Heinze, wildlife biologist with decades of work on the mountain pygmy possum, and Ian Mansergh |
2.45pm Presentations: what are the solutions |
How to deal with fire: land management and implications for snow gum communities
|
Dr. Philip Zylstra, Adjunct Associate Professor, Curtin University School of Molecular and Life Sciences, on fire and land management and implications for snow gum communities |
3.15 |
Afternoon tea |
|
3.45pm |
Snow gum forests and adaptation options for future climate and fire. |
Dr Tom Fairman, FLARE Wildfire Research, The University of Melbourne |
4.15pm |
How are national park agencies for the alps managing snow gum communities and alpine vegetation |
David Crea, Australian Alps National Parks Program Manager |
5pm. |
End of day summary and wrap up, with drinks, snacks, mingle and music from Life Dreamers. |
At the venue |
Saturday February 15 – 8.45am until 3.30pm
- Continue presentations and workshops, with a focus on solutions.
Theme |
topic |
presenter |
8.30am - arrive 8.45am. Welcome/ recap |
|
MC for the day: Anna Langford
|
9am Solutions stream continued. |
How might we respond to the threat of die back
|
Dr Matthew Brookhouse, Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU |
9.30am |
Bushfires, archaeology of the high country and biodiversity |
Russell Mullett, GunaiKurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) |
10.15 |
morning tea |
|
10.30am |
Land managers must be adequately funded and have the right policy settings to allow them to deal with multiple threats: invasives, fire, climate change, visitor pressure. VNPA perspectives on fire policy. |
Matt Ruchel, Jordan Crook, VNPA |
11am |
Hydro and soil projects being undertaken in the high alpine including work to manage Snow Gum Dieback |
Associate Professor Leah Moore Land and Water Science
|
11.30am |
What about the low elevation snow gum forests - the health and viability of snow gum populations in Macedon Ranges Shire |
Karl Just. Botanist and zoologist [via zoom] |
12noon |
Lunch |
|
1.15pm |
Can the alpine peatlands experience help protect Snow Gums from fire? |
Peter Jacobs, former senior protected area manager, Executive Officer for the Victorian Deer Control Community Network
|
1.45pm |
Climate Change Projections on the Australian Alps and how community groups can be part of the solution |
Kate Carmichael, Protect our Winters |
2.15pm |
Reflections on the forum. Where next as we prepare for the future? |
Uncle Shane Monk, male cultural lead and lead tour guide, Taungurung Land and Waters Council - will provide a reflection on the forum and where next. Dhudhuroa and Wamba Wemba elder Dr Jen Mason, research fellow, ANU. Social scientist whose work is around cultural mapping which is disseminated through creative practises in film, photography and virtual reality spaces. Waywurru woman Megan Carter is a historian and writer. Open floor discussion on tangible actions coming from the forum? What should be included in a forum statement? Brief announcements of relevant upcoming events and actions.
|
3.15pm |
Finish |
|
|
Visit to the indigenous garden of Gail and Greg Owen (4 mins walk from venue) and the DP alpine bog, plus some special trees around Dinner Plain |
|
Tickets now on sale
Please note: there are a very small number of in person tickets still available. Once they are gone, to go on the wait list please contact Cam: [email protected]
Tickets were launched on November 14 and are now available. The cost for the 2 day conference is:
Unwaged / concession / student: $80
Waged: $200
The ticket covers:
- Entry to the two day event
- Morning and afternoon tea and lunch on the Friday, plus evening gathering and live music at the venue
- Morning tea and lunch on the Saturday
You will need to organise other meals and your accommodation.
You can also watch the forum online for a fee of $10 for the two days.
Because tickets will be limited to 80 people we strongly suggest you buy them soon.
We offer free attendance for First Nations people. Please contact us to receive a ticket. [email protected]
Walks program
We will be hosting two guided walks on sunday February 16. For details and tickets please check here.
Hosts and Supporters
This is being organised by Friends of the Earth. It is supported by the Dinner Plain Community Association and Victorian Forest Alliance.
The Rendere Trust,
Cathedral Wildlife,
Bright Brewery,
Jasper Coffee,
Freeburgh Hall committee,
Practical Ecology,
Protect our Winters, and
Patagonia Australia have assisted in hosting the summit.
We welcome groups with an interest in the sustainability of the high country to join us as a co-host. Please get in touch to discuss this. [email protected]
Location
Dinner Plain community centre, Dinner Plain, 3898.
Dinner Plain is located 10 km from Mt Hotham alpine village, and is about a 5 hour drive from Melbourne, so please plan to come up on the thursday if traveling from a distance.
Participants will need to organise their own accommodation. We can assist with ideas on accommodation in Dinner Plain and at Mt Hotham, and good options for camping.
Further information
For extra information on the program or to offer a session or other form of involvement, please contact Cam Walker <[email protected]>, 0419 338 047